A base station may establish a wireless connection with a mobile device. The base station may determine an index value for each of a plurality of carriers that may be used for the wireless connection. The index value for a respective carrier may be determined based on a quantity of idle mode devices using the respective carrier in an idle mode. The base station may generate a carrier order that indicates a priority for each of the plurality of frequencies. The carrier order may be generated based on sorting the plurality of carriers based on the index values for the plurality of carriers. The base station may send order information indicating the carrier order to the mobile device via the wireless connection.
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1. A device, comprising: one or more processors to: establish a wireless connection with a mobile device; determine an index value for each of a plurality of carriers that may be used for the wireless connection, the index value for a respective carrier, of the plurality of carriers, being determined based on a quantity of idle mode devices using the respective carrier in an idle mode, and the index value for the respective carrier being normalized based on a bandwidth of the respective carrier; generate a carrier order that indicates a priority for each of the plurality of carriers, the carrier order being generated based on sorting the plurality of carriers based on the index value for each of the plurality of carriers; send order information indicating the carrier order to the mobile device via the wireless connection; and cause the mobile device to use a carrier, of the plurality of carriers, in the idle mode based on the carrier order.
A base station balances mobile devices across different carriers (frequencies) to optimize network usage. It establishes a connection with a mobile device, then calculates an "index value" for each carrier. This index reflects how many idle mobile devices are currently using that carrier, normalized by the carrier's bandwidth. The base station then sorts the carriers based on these index values to create a prioritized "carrier order." Finally, this carrier order is sent to the mobile device, instructing it which carrier to prefer when entering idle mode.
2. The device of claim 1 , where the one or more processors are further to: determine to release the wireless connection; and where the one or more processors, when sending the order information, are to: send the order information to the mobile device based on determining to release the wireless connection.
Building on the previous description, when the base station decides to terminate the wireless connection with the mobile device, it sends the carrier order information to the mobile device specifically at the time of releasing this connection. This timing ensures the mobile device receives the carrier order just before entering idle mode, allowing it to select the most appropriate carrier for idle operation.
3. The device of claim 1 , where the one or more processors, when determining the index value, are to: estimate the quantity of idle mode devices based on a quantity of connected mode devices that wirelessly connect to the device using the respective carrier.
In the carrier balancing process, the base station estimates the number of idle mobile devices on each carrier by observing the number of connected mobile devices currently using that carrier. This estimation provides a proxy for the actual idle device count, allowing the base station to dynamically adjust carrier prioritization based on real-time network conditions without directly tracking all idle devices.
4. The device of claim 3 , where an idle mode device does not have a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with the device, and where the connected mode devices have RRC connections with the device.
Expanding on the estimation of idle devices, a mobile device is considered in "idle mode" if it does not have an active Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with the base station. Conversely, a "connected mode" device actively maintains an RRC connection. The base station differentiates between these states to accurately estimate idle device load on each carrier based on the count of connected devices.
5. The device of claim 1 , where the wireless connection is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection, and where the one or more processors, when sending the order information, are to: send the order information to the mobile device through dedicated priorities in RRC signaling when releasing the RRC connection.
The wireless connection between the base station and the mobile device uses Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. When releasing this RRC connection, the base station sends the carrier order information to the mobile device. This information is transmitted through dedicated priority settings within the RRC signaling, ensuring the mobile device receives explicit instructions on preferred carrier selection for idle mode.
6. The device of claim 1 , where the idle mode is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle mode.
The "idle mode" referred to in the carrier balancing system is specifically the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle mode. This means the mobile device relinquishes its dedicated connection to the base station but remains registered on the network, periodically monitoring for incoming calls or data.
7. The device of claim 1 , where the plurality of carriers comprise frequencies in at least one of: a 700 MHz band, a 2100 MHz band, or a 2500 MHz band.
The carrier frequencies used for balancing mobile devices can include, but are not limited to, frequencies within the 700 MHz band, the 2100 MHz band, or the 2500 MHz band. These bands are commonly used in cellular networks and provide flexibility in carrier selection for idle mode load distribution.
8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising: one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: establish a wireless connection with a mobile device; determine an index value for each of a plurality of carriers that may be used for the wireless connection; the index value for a respective carrier, of the plurality of carriers, being determined based on a quantity of idle mode devices using the respective carrier in an idle mode, and the index value for the respective carrier being normalized based on a bandwidth of the respective carrier; generate a carrier order that indicates a priority for each of the plurality of carriers, the carrier order being generated based on sorting the plurality of carriers based on the index value for each of the plurality of carriers; determine to release the wireless connection; and send, based on determining to release the wireless connection, order information indicating the carrier order to the mobile device via the wireless connection.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory, disk) stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause a base station to balance mobile devices across carriers. The process involves establishing a connection with a mobile device, calculating an "index value" for each carrier (reflecting idle device count normalized by bandwidth), sorting carriers to create a prioritized "carrier order," determining to release the connection and then sending this order to the mobile device upon connection release, so that the mobile device can choose the best carrier for idle mode.
9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the one or more instructions, that send the order information, cause the one or more processors to: cause the mobile device to use a carrier, of the plurality of carriers, in the idle mode based on the carrier order.
The computer-readable medium from the previous description, when executed, further causes the base station to instruct the mobile device to use a specific carrier in idle mode, based on the prioritized "carrier order" that was sent. This ensures the mobile device follows the base station's recommendations for load balancing across different carriers.
10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the one or more instructions, that determine the index value, cause the one or more processors to: estimate the quantity of idle mode devices based on a quantity of connected mode devices that wirelessly connect to a device using the respective carrier.
The computer-readable medium from the previous description, when executed, calculates the "index value" for each carrier by estimating the number of idle mobile devices based on the number of connected mobile devices currently using each carrier. This estimation provides a proxy for real-time network conditions and informs the carrier prioritization process.
11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10 , where an idle mode device does not have a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with the device, and where the connected mode devices have RRC connections with the device.
The computer-readable medium from the previous description, regarding device state, recognizes that a mobile device is considered in "idle mode" if it lacks an active Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with the base station, while a "connected mode" device actively maintains an RRC connection. This distinction is key to estimating idle device load.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the idle mode is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle mode.
The computer-readable medium from the previous description specifies that the "idle mode" in the carrier balancing system is specifically the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle mode, where the device is registered but lacks a dedicated connection.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8 , where the plurality of carriers comprise frequencies in at least one of: a 700 MHz band, a 2100 MHz band, or a 2500 MHz band.
The computer-readable medium from the previous description specifies the carrier frequencies, including the 700 MHz band, the 2100 MHz band, or the 2500 MHz band, for balancing mobile devices.
14. A method, comprising: establishing, by a device, a wireless connection with a mobile device; determining, by the device, an index value for each of a plurality of carriers that may be used for the wireless connection, the index value for a respective carrier, of the plurality of carriers, being determined based on a quantity of idle mode devices using the respective carrier in an idle mode, and the index value for the respective carrier being normalized based on a bandwidth of the respective carrier; generating, by the device, a carrier order that indicates a priority for each of the plurality of carriers, the carrier order being generated based on sorting the plurality of carriers based on the index value for each of the plurality of carriers; sending, by the device, order information indicating the carrier order to the mobile device via the wireless connection; and causing, by the device, the mobile device to use a carrier, of the plurality of carriers, in the idle mode based on the carrier order.
A base station executes a method to balance mobile devices across different carriers by establishing a connection with a mobile device and determining an index value for each carrier, reflecting how many idle devices are using it (normalized by bandwidth). It generates a carrier order, sorting frequencies based on these values and sends order information indicating this priority to the mobile device, prompting the mobile device to then use a preferred carrier from the list in its idle mode state, thereby balancing devices across frequencies.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising: determining, by the device, to release the wireless connection; and where sending the order information comprises: sending the order information to the mobile device based on determining to release the wireless connection.
Building on the previous method, the base station determines when to release the wireless connection with the mobile device and, at the time it releases the connection, it sends the carrier order information to the mobile device. This ensures timely delivery of the carrier preference instructions just before the device enters idle mode.
16. The method of claim 14 , where determining the index value comprises: estimating the quantity of idle mode devices based on a quantity of connected mode devices that wirelessly connect to the device using the respective carrier.
In the carrier balancing method, the base station estimates the number of idle mobile devices on each carrier by observing the number of connected mobile devices currently using each carrier, providing a dynamic approximation of network load conditions for carrier prioritization.
17. The method of claim 16 , where an idle mode device does not have a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with the device, and where the connected mode devices have RRC connections with the device.
The carrier balancing method distinguishes device states: a mobile device is in "idle mode" without an active Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection, while a "connected mode" device maintains an RRC connection. This differentiation is crucial for estimating the load on each carrier and prioritizing them effectively.
18. The method of claim 14 , where the wireless connection is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection, and where sending the order information comprises: sending the order information to the mobile device through dedicated priorities in RRC signaling when releasing the RRC connection.
The wireless connection in the carrier balancing method is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection. When the base station releases this connection, it sends the carrier order information through dedicated priority settings within the RRC signaling, ensuring clear instructions for the mobile device's carrier selection in idle mode.
19. The method of claim 14 , where the idle mode is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle mode.
The "idle mode" referenced in the carrier balancing method is the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle mode, where the mobile device is registered on the network but lacks a dedicated connection, and the system guides the device to select an appropriate frequency for this idle state.
20. The method of claim 14 , where the plurality of carriers comprise frequencies in at least one of: a 700 MHz band, a 2100 MHz band, or a 2500 MHz band.
The carrier balancing method can utilize frequencies within the 700 MHz band, the 2100 MHz band, or the 2500 MHz band, enabling flexibility in distributing mobile devices across different frequency bands for optimal network load management.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
December 29, 2014
May 23, 2017
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